Bonnie Radow hasn’t always been a jeweler. Starting her career as an interior designer, the Paradise Valley resident explored mixed-media sculpture, then found her calling in jewelry making about 15 years ago.
“I’m kind of self-taught, and I started with doing cuff bracelets and storybook necklaces,” she says. “I started, when I was doing interior design, collecting love letters, and they were so fabulous I started making my storybook necklaces into some of those letters.” One of Radow’s original creations, the storybook necklace is exactly as it sounds: a necklace with a literal – and petite – storybook attached, with fine metal “pages” containing images, words and tiny objects that tell a story. Each piece is unique and crafted with 14-karat gold, silver and an object from a curated selection of antiques from all over the world, “incorporating it into contemporary design [and] keeping it alive,” Radow says.
Her website functions as a portfolio, not a storefront: You can peruse past collections there, but they are not available for purchase online. Prospective clients can contact Radow via email to schedule an appointment at her studio. She also hosts two trunk shows a year in the Phoenix area, with an upcoming trunk show scheduled for October. “I’ve been doing it for 15 years,” Radow says. “I do two lines per year, and every time I finish a line, I think, ‘I’m not gonna think of anything for the next line.’ And it just comes from above.”
– Sommer Bailey
- “Dance With Me” Storybook Necklace | $5,200
- Gold & Diamond Rectangle Ring | $5,500
- Gemstone Drop Earrings | $4,500
- Iconic Diamond Gold Bracelet | $5,800
- Sterling Silver & Diamond Cuff Bracelet | $4,200
Bonnie Radow Designs
bonnieradowdesigns.com
Rancher Hat Bar
Old Town Scottsdale’s Rancher Hat Bar is known for its DIY hat experience, which netted the business a 2024 Best of the Valley win for Best Place to Try on Rancher and Cowboy Hats. But you don’t have to channel your inner milliner to get a cool chapeau – the shop offers an array of premade designs. “Each one is handcrafted by our hat tenders as soon as an order is placed, so you’re still getting a thoughtfully designed, one-of-a-kind piece,” says CEO and founder Shantelle Girard. “We also offer collaborations with influencers and other brands, which are available as premades, too.” The company – which has expanded to include locations in California, Colorado, Texas and Tennessee and will soon open a storefront in Boise, Idaho – also recently debuted a jewelry collection. “Our bandana necklaces have been a big hit,” Girard says. “They blend Western flair with a chic, classy edge that our customers are loving. Charms are definitely having a moment in the jewelry world, and we thought, why not bring that fun, customizable vibe into a Western accessory? It’s a fresh twist, and the response has been great.” rancherhatbar.com
– Leah LeMoine
